Blue Camas
Camassia quamash
Appearance
The blue camas has onion-like bulbs with plants growing over 60 centimetres tall. It has blue flowers in the spring.
Range & Habitat
This plant is found from southern B.C. to California, growing in meadows and grassy bluffs, often in garry oak meadows. Fire encourages more camas to grow; it takes away other plants competing with the camas. In B.C. this plant is found in the Georgia Depression ecoprovince.
reciprocal relationships
The blue camas is a perennial herb. It blooms in May and June and can tolerate a dry summer. The beautiful flowers range from hues of blue and purple, but there are also some with white flowers. These flowers are incredibly important for the diverse pollinators and animals within the Garry oak meadow ecosystems.
The plant produces small edible bulbs called “corms” which are similar to small potatoes. The corms can be steamed in pits and develop inulin (a healthy sugar) when cooked. They can be eaten whole, or dried and pounded into flour.
The Lekwungen-speaking people have managed camas through prescribed fire which evenly burns across the landscape. This allows for greater seed dispersal and larger bulbs. In the ecosystem, these plants are also important for grazing animals like deer.
The plant produces small edible bulbs called “corms” which are similar to small potatoes. The corms can be steamed in pits and develop inulin (a healthy sugar) when cooked. They can be eaten whole, or dried and pounded into flour.
The Lekwungen-speaking people have managed camas through prescribed fire which evenly burns across the landscape. This allows for greater seed dispersal and larger bulbs. In the ecosystem, these plants are also important for grazing animals like deer.
more information
If you belong to a First Nation with a story or piece of information not represented here and you would like to share more about this species, please email us at education@sierraclub.bc.ca.
photo credit
Canva
